Message from the Director
Welcome to the Global Health Initiative at Boston University. This multi-mission, multi-disciplinary initiative is focused on developing new curricular options for undergraduate and graduate students, fostering interdisciplinary research, and expanding BU’s relationships with public health scholars and practitioners world-wide to find and implement sustainable solutions to the complex health challenges our world now faces.
One can rightly argue that this must become the century of global health, as health is the foundation for political stability, environmental and economic sustainability, scientific and human progress, and cultural and social well-being of peoples around the globe. This perspective makes health the most pressing issue of our times and essential to future progress for all nations, rich and poor. By establishing the Global Health Initiative as a focal point for coordination, planning and action, Boston University's commitment to the field of global health is clear. BU students and scholars have always chosen to ask the difficult questions, determined to make the activities of academe meaningful and relevant to their times, and this spirit of inquiry and social responsibility are fully reflected in the vision and goals of the Global Health Initiative at Boston University.
I look forward to hearing from you, and sharing our progress as this initiative evolves. Together we can work toward the creation of a new culture of collaboration and commitment to scholarship, education, and action to allow every society to enjoy the benefits of a strong and healthy populace.
Gerald T. Keusch, M.D.
Director, Global Health Initiative at Boston University
Associate Provost for Global Health
Associate Dean for Global Health, School of Public Health
Associate Director, Collaborative Core, National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory Institute